manners. For instance, can the importance, influence and magnitude of network-connection or networkaffiliation, concerning such things as value, price and / or wage determinations be scientifically measured? For Marx, the answer is a resounding no. As he states,
if we have a function which, although in and for itself unproductive, is nevertheless a necessary moment of reproduction … this does not change the character of the function itself. [ This function ] should … be considered as a machine that reduces the expenditure of useless energy, or helps to set free production time. [ Thus, it is ] a necessary function, because the reproduction process itself includes unproductive functions …[ that ] create neither value nor products.[ 14 ]
The sharp line of demarcation that Marx draws between productive and unproductive functions, is founded on a strict guideline. Only those functions that are directly involved in the production process at the level of the assembly-line and / or the division of labor, directly producing products according to the parameters of socially necessary labor-time, are productive functions, occupied in directly producing value and surplus value. By Marx’ s definition, these functions exercise labor-power as only labor-power, directly subjected to the parameters of socially necessary labor-time, can produce value. On the other hand, all those functions that reduce the expenditure of useless energy, facilitate circulation, production and distribution that are not necessarily involved in the production process at the level of the assemblyline and / or the division of labor, directly producing products, are, according to Marx, unproductive. By Marx’ s definition, these functions do not create value and surplus value, despite the fact they are crucial in facilitating the amelioration, the realization and the development of the capitalist modes of production, consumption and distribution.
Notwithstanding, contrary to Marx, these unproductive functions exercise a form of labor-power; despite the fact that this form of labor-power is, according to Marx, unproductive. Moreover, these unproductive functions ameliorate, facilitate and accelerate capitalist reproduction, thus contrary to Marx’ s definition, they are in fact productive, productive in facilitating, ameliorating and perfecting capitalist reproduction. They add value to the system by perfecting the system and due to Marx’ s strict adherence to a narrow definition of value, Marx is forced to categorize these functions as unproductive because these functions cannot be scientifically measured. In fact, these unproductive functions comprise creative-power in action, which contrary to Marx, are productive, as only productive functions can ameliorate, facilitate and accelerate capitalist reproduction. These so-called unproductive functions may be slightly removed from direct capitalist production and the parameters of socially necessary labor-time. Nevertheless, they are intimately involved in the structure, the movement, the processes, the developments and the realizations of capital across the stratums of capitalist production, circulation and distribution in the sense that these unproductive functions exercise creative-power in the amelioration, facilitation and perfection of capitalism. Unproductive functions, to use Marx’ s terminology, are invaluable and priceless for the maintenance and growth of the capitalist-system; capitalism cannot do with them, hence their undeniable and unquantifiable value. In fact, capitalism goes to great lengths to absorb the creative-power inherent in unproductive functions. For example, the whole travel industry and entertainment industry is hardwired to absorb unproductivity and leisure-time as essential unquantifiable values, central to the maintenance and growth of the capitalist modes of production, consumption and distribution.
The value that creative-power generates is not necessarily scientifically quantifiable, but it is nonetheless the value that sustains, maintains, normalizes, revolutionizes, refines and expands the processes of capitalism, it is value that, although, un-quantifiable, fuels the logic of capitalism stationed at the center of capitalist production, consumption and distribution. These unproductive functions exercising creative-power in a multitude of socio-economic sectors, refine, improve and advance the systems and